Mexicali

A mere two hour drive east from the city of San Diego, California, you can encounter another world just south of the U.S. border. Mexicali, Mexico is a desert city of one million, juxtaposed with the U.S. city of Calexico and next to the rich agricultural fields of rural Mexico.

You will experience resilient communities, able to withstand this harsh desert climate while creating their livelihoods, often times, by linking together two or three part time jobs to cover the needs of the family. Small loan opportunities afford people the chance to create thriving mini-businesses such as beekeeping, catering, or cactus production. By working alongside community leaders called Promotoras, volunteers will learn how leadership is demonstrated at the community level.

A true immersive program, you will see the impact of globalization where many people now work in assembly factories or work to create products for sale in the United States. With salaries of approximately $8/day and with the price of a gallon of milk at $4, these communities demonstrate strong families and cooperative solutions to their social and economic environment. Opportunities abound to engage with locals, learn about migration, and steep in the richness of the relational nature of the Mexican people.